LOS ANGELES — Viking has officially welcomed the latest addition to its fleet with the delivery of its newest ocean ship, the Viking Vesta.

The handover ceremony took place today, June 26, 2025, at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy.

Classified as a small ship like the rest of the Viking ocean fleet, the Viking Vesta features 499 staterooms and can accommodate up to 998 guests. It will spend its inaugural season sailing a mix of itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

“We are proud to welcome the Viking Vesta to our fleet of elegant, small sister ships,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “As we continue to expand around the world, we are pleased to offer curious travellers new options for exploring in Viking comfort. We look forward to welcoming guests on board the Viking Vesta during her inaugural season and in the years to come.”

The Viking Vesta joins a growing fleet of award-winning vessels, further strengthening Viking’s presence in the small-ship market. Earlier this year, Viking and Fincantieri revealed plans for the Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship. Currently under construction at the same Ancona shipyard, the Viking Libra will feature a hybrid propulsion system using liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells. Delivery is scheduled for late 2026. A second hydrogen-powered vessel, the Viking Astrea, is also underway and is expected to join the fleet in 2027.

The Viking Vesta has been built with the ability to be retrofitted to incorporate emerging technologies, aligning with Viking’s long-term vision for environmentally responsible cruising.

According to its orderbook, the company plans to take delivery of 27 additional river ships by 2028 and 10 more ocean ships by 2031. These additions will bring Viking’s fleet to 111 river vessels and 23 ocean and expedition ships within the next six years.

For more details, go to www.viking.com.